I’m a TV and movie critic for the day job, but I’d never seen an episode of “The Hills” on MTV until recently. A few weeks ago one of the publicists from the network asked if I might be interested in talking to someone from the show since this is its last season. I declined at the time, but I ended up watching season one that night through Netflix on my Wii.
I was shocked. These people were so manipulative, at times pathetic, and I was totally sucked in. During my free time, which is about an hour a day right now, I find myself watching more episodes and it might be an addiction. I don’t even like these people, yet I can’t stop watching. I’m about half way through season three. Sigh.
It is great for character study if you want to find out how to create tension and drama for people in their 20s. And villains are so numerous it’s hard to find the good guys. Seriously, is there a more hated figure than Spencer Pratt, on any television show? The guy has absolutely no redeeming qualities and makes for a great villain.
At first I thought I Heidi was the typical blond bimbo victim, but she’s just as evil as Spencer. These two never worry about who they step on, as long as they get what they want. And there is absolutely nothing romantic about their relationship.
In fact as soapy as it is, there is a serious lack of real romance on “The Hills.” The relationships are shallow. From what I can tell so far, there’s no room for loving anyone else, because they are all so in love with themselves. There’s a lot of hooking up but when it comes the romance, well, it’s all so hallow.
The guys make grand gestures, but there’s no heart or passion behind them. I worry that their behavior might be examples for America’s youth. It makes me want to run ads during the broadcast that young women, especially, should pick up a romance novel. We write about tough chicks who don’t take crap from men, and at the same time can have deep connections with their significant others. If some guy is manipulating you, it’s time to walk away. And even if you are young you can find true intimacy, and I’m not talking about sex.
One could argue that this is what people in their 20s do, but I don’t.
It is possible, in real life, to have romance? You have to work at it. I know these are very young people, it’s a TV show and it isn’t real, but a little romance wouldn’t hurt. I watch my boys, who are 19 and 22, and how they treat the young women they date. They aren’t anything like the boys on “The Hills.” They are respectful, kind, faithful and romantic. Okay, sometimes the romantic part makes me gag because they are my children. But they’re so sweet. The guys they hang out with are also good to the young women they date.
The youngest made Oreo truffles and a special CD last week when his girlfriend returned from Africa after five weeks of mission work. For the girlfriend before the last, my oldest had a cake designed that looked exactly like her favorite purse. I mean, these are thoughtful gestures. Both of my boys love with their whole heart, and though it’s difficult when things don’t work out, I admire them for it.
I think that romantic nature comes from their dad. He’s not big on PDA, but he makes up for it in other ways. I met him my freshman year in college and that summer he traveled the world with his family. He wrote me letters and poems every single day he was away. They were sweet heartfelt letters, and my kids can’t believe their dad wrote that stuff.
His proposal of marriage wasn’t quite so magical, but that’s a story for another day.
I want to know what is the most romantic thing anyone has done for you? Sometimes it’s the smallest thing, and sometimes it’s those grand gestures. Tell me, I really want to know.
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(F) It doesn’t sound like much to most, but my hubby bought me a single long stem rose for no reason at all other than to surprise me and remind me that he loved me.
Patsy, I think those are the best moments. Ones that aren’t related to some event. Very sweet.
First of all…AWESOME BLOG!!! I know what you mean. I once was sucked into the Sunset Tan vortex only to snap back to my senses and hate that I’d lost an hour of my life I could never get back. And don’t get me started on the Real Housewives. And a small aside, Spencer just is more than a bit off. There was a recen pic of him in In Touch holding up a set of binocs as if he was looking through them at something in the distance…and the lens covers were still on.
ok….
Anyway, most romantic thing? My husband has done so many even though he is not per se the romantic type. But the biggest thing was that I didn’t have a set up office. I was typing on a lap top using the kitchen table as a desk. My grandfather had bought me a really nice desk for my birthday, but it came in four massive boxes and a zillion little pieces. It clearly would take an entire day to put together.
Anyway, I taught at the DFW Writers Conference and, when I came home Sunday night, my entire office was put together. He’d even gone out and bought Post-Its in the shapes of hearts and flowers, and put out a new business card holder and filled it with my new business cards. The office was all decorated, electronics hooked up and ready for me to sit and create.
I cried. Suddenly writing for a living didn’t seem so overwhelming because I knew I had him on my team.
Seems to me like your boys will grow up to be that kind of a husband. Good! The world needs more of them.
Kristen. LOL. I got hooked on Sunset Tan too.
Okay, the office thing may be my favorite so far.
My family know that I hate my birthday and do not acknowledge it in any way…. (mostly due to “mommy dearest’s treatment of me as a child). The nice thing that my partner of 30 mumble mumble years does is to just leave me a card, and not mention the day. My kids call, ask me what I’m doing that day and stay away. To me that is the best, nicest and in my partner’s case, the most romantic showing of caring I could imagine.
I’m the opposite on birthdays, but I think it’s cool they all respect your wishes.
Hi Candy. A friends 13 year old daughter posted on FB that she was watching The Hills and I commented SO AM I! The most recent romantic gesture is when I won a writing contest for best first kiss and as a surprise my husband built a frame and hung it in my office As soon as I opened the door to the office -there it was! WW
Liz, That is so sweet.
Our first year married we were POOR! Valentine’s Day gifts that year had to be hand made and not store bought because of our lack of funds. I went around to all the places where my wife and I had been while we dated and during the 3 months we’d been married and put them into a photo album for her.
Ahhh, that is sweet.
Glad I’m not the only one who has gotten sucked into the Hills. It’s ridiculous how addictive it can be, truly the junk food of television.
My husband and I met when he lived in Dallas and I was in Louisiana. I couldn’t move because I was finishing up college and also wasn’t ready to move far from my family. So we did the long-distance and visit back and forth thing, even though it was so difficult to only have a few days together at a time. And then at the end of one of our visits, I was all sad when I dropped him off at the airport and he asked me, “What if next time I don’t have to say goodbye?” (really, those words. He must have been reading romance novels on the side.)
He went back to Dallas, put in notice at his apartment and at a job he had worked hard to get. In the end, his company didn’t want him to leave and offered him a promotion and a transfer to Baton Rouge (where I was), so fate helped us out. But I’ll never forget that he was wiling to drop everything to be with me.
We’ll be celebrating our nine year wedding anniversary next month.
That is like a romance novel. We all want that.
I had 4 surgeries within a short period of time – leaving horrid scars on my stomach. After the 4th one was healing, I cried because I thought I looked so ugly and because I would have no chance to have kids. My husband leaned down and kissed my scars and told me “They are racing stripes, now you are a sports model built for speed.” We’re still married and 21 years have not dimmed my love for him.
Oh, that is nice.
Good morning Candy! I tried to watch the Hills one time cause a friend said I just had to watch. Needless to say I didnt make it through the full episode. I really wanted to reach into the tv and slap the girls. I mean really they need a reality check and a good kick in the rear!
As for romantic gestures, it really is the little ones that count. My hubby does lots of little things but they are great. He will buy me a candy bar I have been craving, or bring home my favorite ice cream. Or pick up that movie or cd I said I wanted. It may not be much, but it means alot to me. And it means he really does listen when I talk, lol!
Have a great day and a Happy 4th of July! (*)
Alina, I think those small things are the best. And that he listens is amazing! You’ve trained him well.
The other night, the DH suggested out of the blue that we go out for ice cream. I once opened the door in response to a LOUD knock, only to find a huge Vermont Teddy Bear box on the step. The moments he does things are rare, but when he does…*sigh* (L)
#ww
I meant to add, my DD2 watches The Hills. She loves it, but I’m afraid it’s probably for all the wrong reasons. She thinks everyone on that show is just fine. I want to choke them all…
Oh, that she thinks they are okay is really scary. I’m with you.
Yeah, I know. She’s 21 and I keep trying to tell her romance is a beautiful thing, not the crap she’s watching there. She just does the ‘talk to the hand’ thing and keeps watching.
*sigh*
And I’ve handed her a dozen GOOD romance books, but she’s yet to read any of them.
Alina that is sweet.
My other half gets it right occassionally. His most recent romantic gesture was this past Valentine’s day. He carved me a wooden heart and with our initials. A really simple gesture, but he did it on his own (and in secret). It sits on a shelf in my office where I can see it every day.
~~Angi
I like the handmade stuff best. Well, that and a clean house and laundry done.
Once a few years ago dh was gone for an extended time for work. But he called me at 11:30 at night and told me there was a special delivery at the front door. I was sound asleep and it kinda freaked me out, but then it was him, home for a quick weekend. It was very romantic.
#ww
LOL. I’m not sure I would have opened the door that late.
My partner has watched the Hills for years and he loved it. Never understood why. Well I decided to give it a try this season just because of all of the controversy Heidi and Spencer have created over the past year. Needless to say now I’m hooked LOL. WW
I’m so glad I’m not the only one addicted.
My hubby bought me a kindle for mother’s day this year. He said, “After this, it’s going to be all macaroni art and hand-made cards, so you might as well get something nice your first mother’s day.” I read the thing every night while nursing:)
He also reads everything I write, even though my writing is not his style. It’s wonderful to have a partner that supports what I’m passionate about!
ww
–Jessica (jedaud)
I love my Kindle. It’s great for when I have to travel, sitting in doctors office, or just hanging at home.
It was years ago, and he was a cad in many ways (hence, we are no longer together), but he did once do something sweet and simple. I wasn’t feeling well and he came over to the couch, tucked a blanket around me, and just held me until I fell asleep.
Not much, but considering how totally thoughtless and blind he was in other ways, that just made me feel special – and contributed to my staying with him much longer than I should have.
#ww
Sounds to me like in the end you made the right decision.
My husband sent me roses from Germany. We were both active duty and TDy at two different places. I was TDY in the states he was TDY in Germany. Funny thing was his letter arrived before the roses and Ihave to admit when I called him I was a tad suspicious and I asked him did you send flowers and he said yes. I told he might go get his money back because I hadn’t received them. Then a day or two later they arrived and the next day another dozen. So I wound up with 2 dozen long stemmed red roses. ww (L) (L) (L) (L)
On my birthday, after I finished college classes, I thought that the guy I was with would be pretty busy and wouldn’t have time to hang out. He gave me a call though and spent the rest of my birthday me
Also, on Valentines, (He is of Eastern Asian descent) they had Lunar New Years on that day as well. He was busy on that day, and I was hanging out with my family, yet he still dropped by and gave me a box of Ferrero Roches. (Few days earlier, I told him that the candies were pretty delicious, I was helping him in picking out a birthday gift for his former roommate, so I pointed out the box to him.)
Those are thoughtful.
I’m totally with you on the proposal thing. My dh botched it BIG time! The story of his proposal is not even PG13 rated. I’ve had to get creative when our children ask.
Much as I might sigh over my husband’s lack of romantic gestures, in a lot of ways he’s totally fabulous. If there is something I really want (want, not need) he will do whatever it takes to make it happen. Within reason.
My absolute favorite… he reads my manuscripts. Over and over and over again. He may not be the best at giving me a critique, but it means the world that he reads it. Especially since he’s never read a romance novel in his life. At least it’s romantic suspense that I write! And what writer wouldn’t get a huge grin when told that you’re just as good as Clive Cussler??? I do love that man.
Hey Candy…the most romantic thing for me was so much something my late husband did, but something he said to me when proposing. I was 18 and he was 22. He said, “You might find someone you love more, but you’ll never find someone who loves you as much as I do.” That was it for me…my ‘you had me at hello’ moment. LOL
#ww
Ahhh, now that one made me teary.
When I was going through Chemo, my hubby brought me home a stuffed animal from his run to the grocery store. Then, when I started to lose my hair, he shaved his head. His hair was long – he wore it in a pony tail. He made me cry.
#ww